I need to replace the drain in my tub due to material corrosion and fatigue. I believe the material is nickel plated brass, however not sure. I picked a replacement up this weekend at the hardware store and it looked easy enough for a few minute job.

It is a type that has external male threads and appears to screw directly into the drain pipe. While I was attempting to un-screw the drain fixture, the metal cross-supports cracked and now there is nothing on the inside of the drain for me to grab onto for removal. I am curious if anyone has any suggestions or knows of a tool that will grab the inside bore of this drain fixture to remove.

Mike Swearingen

01-23-2006 10:38 AM

No problem.
Cut a "V" notch inside the lip of the old drain with a hacksaw blade. Heat the old plumber's putty under the drain lip with a hair dryer on high heat to soften it up, and then tap the drain back around counter-clockwise with a hammer and chisel or flat screwdriver to unscrew and remove it. Clean off all the old putty.
Roll a roll of fresh plumber's putty about the size of a pencil in your hands and wrap it completely around the drain hole depression. Tighten the new drain down on the new putty and wipe away the excess. You can use the handles of a pair of channel locks stuck down in the crosspieces with a screwdriver in the teeth for leverage to snug it down. Do NOT break off the crosspieces of the new drain, or you'll be right back in the same shape for future removal. Easy.
Good luck!
Mike